Ethics Investigator (Extended)
Ethics Investigator (Extended)
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$ 106175 - 130362
1 Vacancy
Job Description
The Position
***Filing Period Extended***
The filing deadline has been extended
Candidates that previously applied to this recruitment do not need to reapplyThe City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity inclusion and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the citys historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture community and individualism of employees.Why join the City of Oakland Public Ethics CommissionThe Public Ethics Commission (PEC) is an independent commission within the City of Oakland created in 1996 and strengthened in 2014 to ensure compliance with the City of Oaklands government ethics campaign finance transparency and lobbyist registration laws that aim to promote fairness openness honesty and integrity in City government. The PEC employs a comprehensive culture-change approach that blends effective prevention strong enforcement and collaborative leadership activities to create an ethical culture and build public trust in Oakland.
The PEC seeks a determined and fair-minded individual to join us in our mission to uphold the values of integrity and accountability within Oakland government. The ideal candidate will have experience investigating ethics campaign finance or transparency violations for a government agency and interest in and the ability to build the Commissions investigative unit. If you have a passion for government integrity and effectiveness we encourage you to apply!We are looking for someone who is:- A skilled investigator and analyst. You willbe conducting interviews withrespondents and witnessesconducting online researchandanalyzing dataandtranslatingthe findings todevelop recommendations for prosecution and resolution of complaints.
- A talented communicator. You will be reaching out to a broad audience of public officials private citizens and attorneys with varying degrees of familiarity with the PECs processes and the laws under its jurisdiction. You will also need to conduct interviews assess credibility and gather information from witnesses both in and outside of government.
- Self-motivated. Most of your work will be performed independently. Youll be expected to manage your time effectively plan tasks to meet deadlines identify new areas for investigation and complete assignments with increasing autonomy over time.
- Able to handle pressure and conflict. You may be working on complex matters with a significant amount of public interest. You will also interact with people who may not wish to fully cooperate with investigations or who disagree with your evidentiary conclusions.
- Confident in public speaking.You may be called upon to present at public meetings in court or at administrative hearings.
- A strong writer. You will spend much of your time writing investigative reports both for internal review and for public consumption drafting document requests and subpoenas and writing legal analyses. It is important that you write compellingly with correct spelling and grammar to clearly and logically convey information.
- Fair-minded.You will be investigating cases involving subjects across the political spectrum so it is crucial that you are able to set aside personal feelings or preferences when conducting investigations and making recommendations.
What you will typically be responsible for:- Assisting with reviewing and processing of complaints submitted to the Commission to assess whether the Commission has legal jurisdiction identifying potential legal violations conducting preliminary research to determine the type of violation and whether a further investigation is warranted and recommending the next course of action.
- Tracking complaint intake to ensure timely and accurate response preparing case files drafting and sending correspondence maintaining the enforcement database and case files and communicating with parties as necessary.
- Investigating and gathering comprehensive factual information interviewing relevant parties obtaining documentary evidence conducting research online and in City offices analyzing the information and developing a recommendation for case resolution.
- Preparing a written summary of facts and investigation and preparing a legal analysis and recommendation under the supervision of the Enforcement Chief.
- Drafting and serving subpoenas.
- Conducting field investigations as needed.
- Assisting with reviewing and proposing improvements to the investigative and case resolution processes including the Commissions hearing process.
- Performing administrative and clerical duties as needed.
* Click on the link below to see a video on what its like to work for the City of Oakland!
A few reasons you might love this job:- You will have a flexible schedule with hybrid telecommute options.
- You will have a large degree of autonomy over the scope and conduct of your investigations.
- The work you perform will have a great impact on and for the people we serve by ensuring the integrity of Oaklands elections and the ethical functions of its government.
- You will handle a range of cases with diverse subject matters issues and challenges; ideal for someone who thrives on varied day-to-day experience.
A few challenges you might face in this job:- You will need to be proactive and self-directed in learning procedures and navigating cases as formal training may be limited due to resource constraints.
- You will need to keep abreast of relevant laws and policies.
- You will need to manage multiple competing priorities and projects and sometimes need to meet tight deadlines.
- You may need to engage with parties who disagree with your conclusions or are reluctant to cooperate so it is important for you to have a tolerance for conflict and a respectful demeanor with opposing parties.
Competencies Required:- Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment.
- Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires.
- Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content work steps and final work products.
- Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information propositions and claims.
- Establishing Credibility: Doing what one commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
- Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question.
- Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations.
- Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure challenge or adversity.
- Interpersonal Savvy:Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations.
- Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding interpreting and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
- Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue.
- Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job.
- Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty adherence to principles and personal accountability.
- Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information.
- Writing: Communicating effectively in writing.
Minimum Requirements for Application
This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time permanent part-time or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees whomaintainemployment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.
Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable:
Education:
Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in criminal law public policy political science journalism finance accounting or a related field.Experience:
Three years of progressively responsible professional investigative experience preferably in administrative civil or criminal law or investigative journalism.License or Certificate / Other Requirements:
Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Drivers License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.Desirable Qualifications:
- Possession of a Juris Doctor or masters degree
- Experience working on matters involving governmental ethics campaign finance lobbying or in related areas of government oversight.
- Experience working in an oversight regulatory administrative or law enforcement agency.
- Experience with organizational systems to regularly track and report on progress toward established goals and objectives.
- Experience working under strict deadlines and in highly visible sensitive or politicized settings.
- Bilingual skills
Supplemental Information
The Recruitment Process:
The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online and HR staff reviews their experience education and training listed on the application against the minimum qualifications listed for each position.
Candidates whodemonstratethat they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited toparticipatein an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge skills and abilities in job-related areas.
Candidates who do notdemonstratethat they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.
In the final review candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. Noadditionalwork history education or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.
For this recruitment all qualified applicants will be sent awriting exercise(weighted 100%)which will then be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts. The tentative datethat the writing exercise will be senttoyou for completionis the week of August 4 2025.Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points for example if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. Ifyoureapplying to a restricted posting and you are eligible as a current City employee you may also receiveadditionalpoints for yourCityservice. Extra points are only applied to passing scores so if you do not pass every element of the testing process you cannot use extra points to pass.
The City of Oakland reserves the right tomodifythe selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
Whats in it for you- Work/Life Balance:37.5-hour work weeks and a flexible/hybrid remote schedule
- 15 paid holidays
- Vacation:2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
- Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
- Health:The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem Blue Shield United Health Care and other HMO and PPO plans
- Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Sick leave:Employees accrue 12 days per year
- Deferred Compensation:457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
- Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account Wellness Program Employee Assistance Program Tuition Reimbursement Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.
Applicantsare required to submitcriminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished ina timely manner applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.
Disaster Service WorkersAll employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employeesare required tocomplete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as orderedin the event ofan emergency.
How to ApplyApply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours tosubmityour application if you are a new user of the system.APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY.You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
you do not have access to a computer there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza 2nd Floor Oakland CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally10:00 a.m. to4:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided byGovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online please contactGovernmentJobsLive Applicant Support at between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time Monday through Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at for information; however we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system.For recruitment-specific questions please contactAlanna Butler Human Resource Analystat
Employment Type
Full-Time
